General NSA Risk Management

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Our BEST!
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Risk Management
Creating a Culture of Safety
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Risk Management for Tops Rec

• Dealing with more Dads Moms
• May not have Risk training
• May not have as firm a boundary between coach and
  players
• Need to make sure they know basic rules of safety

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Risk Management for Tops Rec

• Dealing with involved parents
• May lead to being less cautious
• Not familiar with soccer safety considerations
• May not recognize unacceptable behavior

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Risk Management for Tops Rec

• Dealing with great kids
• TOPS players require special attention
  consideration
• May need to build practices more slowly
• Dont know what to expect

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When everyone knowsWe will have created a
cultureof safety.
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Education Must Include

• The coaches they are your leaders.
• The parents they are your eyes and ears.
• The players they can say no when they know!

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Educate about Goal Safety

• Coaches need to check to see goals are anchored
  before every practice. They should never use
  players to move goals.
• Parents need to reinforce this dont let any
  child climb or play on goals.
• Players need to know the risk. A falling goal
  can seriously injure or kill.

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Educate about Proper Behavior

• Coaches should never be alone with a player.
• Parents should not expect coaches to be
  babysitters. They should NOT leave their
  children alone with a coach.
• Players should know it is their right to be
  treated with respect and thats how they should
  treat others.

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Educate about The Risk

• The fixated, seductive pedophile
• May be fixated on age, type. Creates
  relationships. Manipulative.
• The molester
• The nightmare. May watch and wait. May look
  for unsupervised children.
• Sexual Exploiter
• Preys on older players. May make sexual
  behavior part of team culture.

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Educate about The Risk

• Coaches must protect players through their
  actions and their knowledge.
• Parents need to know and recognize danger signs.
• Players must be encouraged to listen to their
  inner voice and be empowered to leave an
  uncomfortable situation.

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Educate about The TOPS

• Disabled children are 3.8 times more likely to be
  abused. Never let a disabled child be alone.
  Work in groups!
• Give manual/physical support only when necessary.
  Support should be from gender/age appropriate
  helper.
• Make sure volunteers/coaches/administrators
  understand disabled children may on occasion act
  inappropriately and how to react appropriately!
• Give every safety consideration!

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Education One Tough Job

• Coaches may be the most reachable your leagues
  and clubs communicate with them. Give them
  something to talk about
• Parents are want to learn use websites,
  newsletters, annual meetings and the coaches!
  Ask them to share information.
• Reach out to players and ask all adults to
  include them in safety messages.

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What do YOU want to say?

• Coaches
• Practice goal safety.
• Never be alone with a player.
• Plan for an emergency.

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What do YOU want to say?

• Players
• Trust your instincts if it doesnt feel right,
  leave.
• Remember to always have a buddy.
• Respect the game everyone involved in it.

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What do YOU want to say?

• Parents
• Have an open dialogue with your children let
  them know you respect believe them.
• Help your coach be safe. Be there, but dont
  interfere.
• Be aware of the people around your children.

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Field Goal Safety Check field for holes, ruts, foreign objects, sprinkler heads, etc. Check goals to make sure they are properly anchored? Inspect goal posts for sharp edges Only authorized personnel should move goals never players Be Ready Plan ahead Make practice age, size, ability appropriate Have signed emergency release forms with you at all times Risk Management Issues Never be alone with a child Have an assistant, team parent, etc. who will be at the field with you at all times Women coaching boys, men coaching girls make sure you have a same sex helper Have a plan for an emergency. Know who to call, who will watch other players, etc. Keep clear boundaries between adults and players
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When everyone knowsWe will have created a
cultureof safety.